Fluid communication path

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method are disclosed for providing a fluid communication path to a wound site through a drape. The apparatus comprises a body portion having a lower surface and an upper surface, at least one connection port, at least one suction port and at least one fluid communication passageway between the connection port and the suction port. A connector at an end of at least one tubular conduit is locatable through the drape into an orifice in the connection port to thereby provide a fluid communication path through the drape between the tubular conduit and the wound site.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/201,611 published on Jun. 7, 2012 as US 2012/0143156 A1, which is aU.S. National Phase of PCT International Application No.PCT/GB2010/050259, filed on Feb. 17, 2010, designating the United Statesand published on Aug. 26, 2010 as WO 2010/094957, which claims priorityto Great Britain Patent Application No. 0902816.8, filed on Feb. 19,2009.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for providingnegative pressure at a wound site. In particular, but not exclusively,the present invention relates to apparatus for connecting a source ofnegative pressure to a wound site via a fluid communication pathcompleted when a drape covering the wound site is pierced.

Background

Devices for the generation of negative pressure at the surface of skinhave been used for many hundreds of years to treat animal and humanbodies. For example the cupping technique (which relates to thepositioning of a mouth of a rigid vessel containing hot air) is a wellknown technique. Spring powered syringes and suction cups are othermechanical techniques which have been used in the past for generating avacuum on tissue. In common with cupping such techniques have, in thepast, suffered from a very limited longevity of the therapy which can beapplied. That is to say the duration of the negative pressure which canbe maintained over a site of application has been limited.

To enable a more prolonged application of controlled negative pressure,powered systems, which include a vacuum generation source such as a pumpof some type have been developed and many examples of such systems areused today for the management of wounds. However, many of these systemsare not convenient for a user trying to provide a fluid communicationpath between the vacuum generation source and wound site.

For example, one technique which is known is to provide a tubularconduit from the vacuum generation source to a drape covering a woundsite. The drape which acts as a sealed covering over the wound site ispinched around the tubular conduit which passes thereunder. An adhesivelower surface of the drape is secured to a peripheral region around awound site and the tubular conduit. Whilst providing a technique whichis straightforward to use such fastenings are prone to leakage pathsbeing formed which can degrade the negative pressure applied at thewound site over time.

Other techniques have been proposed for dressing a wound site in asealed manner which enables a negative pressure to be established overthe wound and provides a fluid communication path through the drape. Onesuch technique is to cut the drape, for example by pinching the drapeand then cutting through a small portion of it. However, the size ofopening so formed in the drape is difficult to control and if a smallorifice is required such an orifice is prone to being lost or misalignedsubsequent to cutting as it can be visually difficult to discern thelocation of the small cut opening after its generation.

SUMMARY OF SOME EXEMPLIFYING EMBODIMENTS

It is an aim of the present invention to at least partly mitigate theabove-mentioned problems.

It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to providean apparatus which can be operated in a manner which is not prone touser error and which conveniently provides a pierced hole and associatedfluid communication path through a drape at a desired location.

It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to providea kit of parts which can be provided to a user to enable that user toconveniently dress and subsequently treat a wound.

It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to providea system for applying negative pressure at a wound site with a risk ofleakage being reduced with respect to prior art techniques.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is providedapparatus comprising a body portion locatable under a drape covering awound site for providing a fluid communication path to the wound sitethrough the drape, the body portion comprising:

-   -   a lower surface and an upper surface for supporting an overlying        region of a drape;    -   a connection port comprising an orifice in the upper surface of        the body portion;    -   at least one suction port locatable in fluid communication with        the wound site; and    -   a fluid communication passageway between the connection port and        the suction port; wherein    -   a connector at an end of a tubular conduit is locatable through        the drape into the orifice to thereby provide a fluid        communication path through the drape between the tubular conduit        and the wound site.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provideda connector for providing a fluid communication path through a drapecovering a wound site, comprising:

-   -   a body portion comprising a first end arranged to be connected        to a tubular conduit, a remainder end region comprising a one of        a piercing member or a piercing member receptor, and a fluid        communication passageway extending between the first end and the        remainder end region; wherein    -   the connector is locatable through a portion of a drape covering        a connection port of a body portion underlying an overlying        region of the drape, location of the connector piercing the        drape and completing a fluid communication path through the        drape between the tubular conduit and a suction port of the body        portion in fluid communication with a wound site underlying the        drape.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided akit of parts comprising:

-   -   the apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13 of PCT        Application NO. PCT/GB2010/050259 as filed; and    -   at least one connector as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 18        of PCT Application No. PCT/GB2010/050259 as filed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provideda method for providing a fluid communication path through a drapecovering a wound site, comprising the steps of:

-   -   locating a body portion comprising a lower surface and an upper        surface for supporting an overlying region of a drape at a        selected location with respect to a wound site;    -   covering the body portion and wound site with a drape; and    -   locating a connector into an orifice of a connection port of the        body portion through a portion of the drape thereby completing a        fluid communication path through the drape between a tubular        conduit terminated by the connector and a suction port of the        body portion in fluid communication with the wound site.

Certain embodiments of the present invention enable a user to locate adrape support component over or adjacent to a wound site. A drape isthen placed over the component body and then punctured via a connectorurged into an opening of the component body. The body includes one ormore open passageways which enable a fluid communication path to becompleted between a vacuum generation source connected to the connectorand the wound site. By puncturing the drape simultaneously withgenerating a fluid communication path for negative pressure therapy arisk of hole misalignment or loss is much reduced.

Certain embodiments of the present invention enable a drain to be veryconveniently connected through a drape to a vacuum generation source.

Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a method andapparatus which is not prone to human error.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described hereinafter,by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 illustrates a fluid communication path through a drape;

FIG. 2 illustrates a body used to support a drape;

FIG. 3 illustrates another view of the body in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates a section through a connector and tubing;

FIG. 5A illustrates a top view of a connector and tubing;

FIG. 5B illustrates a cross section through an end region of aconnector;

FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of a connector secured to a drape coveringa wound site;

FIG. 7 illustrates a fluid communication path through a drape;

FIGS. 8a and 8b illustrate a body used to support a drape;

FIG. 9 illustrates another view of the body shown in FIGS. 8a and 8 b;

FIG. 10 illustrates a connector and drain in fluid communication;

FIG. 11 illustrates a connector located in a body;

FIG. 12 illustrates a drape overlying a body with a connector securedtherein;

FIG. 13 illustrates a multi passageway connector; and

FIG. 14 illustrates a multi passageway connector.

In the drawings like reference numerals refer to like parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EXEMPLIFYING EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates a location 10 where topical negative wound therapy(NPWT) is to be applied at a wound site. FIG. 1 illustrates a view of adrape 11 which, in use, is located over and around a wound site 12. Thedrape 11 acts as a dressing covering the wound and may be any type ofdressing normally employed with NPWT and, in very general terms, maycomprise, for example a semi-permeable flexible, self-adhesive drapematerial as is known in the dressings art to cover the wound and sealwith surrounding sound tissue 13 to create a sealed cavity or void overthe wound. This sealed cavity or void is referred to hereinafter as awound chamber 14. Hereinafter a chamber is taken to mean an enclosedvolume of any geometry. The chamber may be of fixed or flexiblegeometry.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 wound packer material 15 may be used in thecavity between a wound bed and the drape to help enable an even vacuumdistribution to be achieved over the area of the wound. The packermaterial can be any suitable material as will be understood by thoseskilled in the art. For example, a foam or gauze material resistant topressure under the levels of vacuum created and which permits transferof wound exudate across the wound area can be used. The wound packerhelps resist crushing under the levels of vacuum created at the woundsite and permits transfer of wound exudates across the wound area to asuction tube 16 sealed to the flexible cover drape which extends overthe wound.

The suction tube may be a plain flexible tube, for example, having asingle lumen therethrough and made from a plastics material compatiblewith raw tissue. However, the aspiration conduit may alternatively havea plurality of lumens therethrough to achieve specific objectives.

It is envisaged that the negative pressure range for the apparatusembodying the present invention may be between about −50 mmHg and −200mmHg (note that these pressures are relative to normal ambientatmospheric pressure thus, −200 mmHg would be around 560 mmHg inpractical terms). Aptly, the pressure range may be between about −75mmHg and −150 mmHg. Alternatively a pressure range of up to −75 mmHg, upto −80 mmHg or over −80 mmHg can be used. Also aptly a pressure range ofbelow −75 mmHg could be used. Alternatively a pressure range of over−100 mmHg could be used or over −150 mmHg. Aptly the pressure of thewound chamber is between −125 mmHg and −20 mmHg. It will thus beappreciated that negative pressure is taken to mean a pressure that isless than ambient atmospheric pressure.

An end of the suction tube 16 is terminated in a connector 17 which inuse is urged into an opening in an upper surface of a body 18 whichsupports the drape 11.

FIG. 2 illustrates the drape support component 18 in more detail. Thebody of the component has a lower substantially planar surface 20 uponwhich the body 18 rests in use. The lower surface can include adhesiveregions or can wholly be covered by an adhesive layer to aid fixing thebody at a desired location with respect to the wound site. The lowerbase surface 20 can be duly located on an area of skin 13 surrounding awound site or alternatively partially or fully over wound packermaterial 15. An upper surface of the body 18 is provided by an upwardlyand inwardly extending side wall 21 which extends smoothly from aperipheral lip region 22 into a top surface area 23. The peripheral liphelps provide a gradual support for the drape as it curves upwards andthus reduces the risk of tearing. Also use of a lip helps maximise across section of the base of the body which spreads any loads generatedwhen a patient turns and lies on the dressing and body.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of the body shown in FIG. 2. Asillustrated in FIG. 3 the body has a generally D-shape having asubstantially straight edge 30 and a spaced apart curved edge 31separated by linear sides 32. A lip 22 extends circumferentially aroundthe whole of the body. The body is integrally formed from a resilientmaterial having a type A Shore hardness of greater than around 10 and atype A Shore hardness of less than around 70. It will be appreciatedthat according to certain other embodiments of the present invention thebody may be formed from a material or a combination of materials havingdifferent hardnesses. Likewise certain embodiments of the presentinvention may utilise a body which is not integrally formed. Indents 33on the two sides 32 increase the ease by which the body may be picked upand located by a user. By pinching the indents the resilience of thematerial is such that the body is effectively squeezed between fingerand thumb and can then be duly located at a desired location withrespect to a wound site. The indents also allow the drape and body to beheld up away from a patient's body whilst the drape is punctured byconnecting the connector to the body. This helps reduce patientdiscomfort.

As illustrated in FIG. 2 an orifice 24 is formed in the top surface 23the upwards facing surface of the body 18. The orifice 24 presents anopen mouth on an upper surface of the body which in use will receive theconnector 17. A chamber 25 extends into the body from the open mouth anda master passageway extends horizontally from the chamber 25 to a regionof a side wall 27. An opening 28 in the side wall forms a first suctionport. A further suction port is formed in the lower surface 20. Thelower surface suction port 29 is connected to the master passageway viaa downwardly extending slave passageway. The side suction port and lowersurface suction port are in fluid communication with the mouth 24 on thetop surface of the body via the chamber 25 and connecting passageways.

It will be understood that according to certain embodiments of thepresent invention the body may be provided with only the bottom surfacesuction port 29 or only the side wall suction port 28 or both a lowersurface suction port 29 and side suction port 28 or more than one sidesuction port and/or more than one lower surface suction port.

FIG. 4 illustrates how a suction tube 16 has an end 40 terminated in aconnector 17. The connector 17 is an elongate integrally formed piece ofsemi-rigid material having a type A Shore hardness of greater thanaround 90. It will be appreciated that according to certain embodimentsof the present invention a rigid material such as metal or other suchmaterial type could be used. Also the connector could be formed in morethan one piece and be fitted together. At a first end region 41 of theconnector 17 an opening is formed having an inner diameter configured toreceive the end 40 of the conduit 16. A substantially D-shapedpassageway 42 in fluid communication with the internal bore 43 of theconduit 16 extends along the longitudinal length of the connector 17.This helps match the cross section in the passageway to the crosssectional area in the bore of the conduit 16. A bleed port 44 extendsfrom a region of a side of the passageway 42 and an outer recess 45 inthe body of the connector 17 holds a filter 46 which preventscontaminants exiting or gaining ingress into the fluid communicationpath. An end of the connector distal to the tubular conduit 16 providesa mouth region 47. A passageway leading into the mouth region 47 has alongitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axisof the passageway 42 leading to the tubular conduit 16. A piercing tip48 is formed as a rim extending around the mouth 47 of the connector.The body of the connector extending backwardly from the cutting edge rim48 extends outwardly in a flared snap fit configuration.

FIG. 5A illustrates a top, non cutaway, view of the connector 17 andtube 16. FIG. 5B illustrates a cutaway view of the end shown by arrows Fin FIG. 5A and illustrates the D-shaped passageway 42 and how this opensinto a mouth region 50 at the end region 51 of the connector. FIG. 5Balso illustrates the cutting rim 48 and outer conically extendingsurface 49 which enables the connector in use to cut through a drape andsnap fit into the connection port 24 formed on the upper surface of thebody 18.

FIG. 6 illustrates how a fluid communication path can be providedbetween a wound site through a drape to a negative pressure source.During use the body 18 is located over or close to a wound site 12. Thisis achieved by a user pinching the body between thumb and forefinger andduly locating the body so that the lower surface 20 of the body rests onthe wound packer 15 and/or surrounding sound tissue 30. As illustratedin FIG. 1 a suction port 29 on the lower surface of the body is in fluidcommunication with the wound packer 15 and thus the target wound site12. A drape is then located over the body 18. Prior to location a lowersurface of the drape has a cover layer removed to reveal a loweradhesive surface. As illustrated in FIG. 6 the outer periphery, that isto say shape, of the drape is selected so as to extend at least apredetermined distance x beyond the lip 22 of the body 18. It will beappreciated that the shape of the drape does not need to match the shapeof the component body but this is convenient to ensure a desired amountof drape extends beyond the lip of the body to provide a good sealaround the wound site. The upper surface of the body formed by theupwardly facing top surface 23 and side walls 21 and lip 22 thus supportthe dressing in a smooth way so that no tearing or cutting occurs to thedrape. This retains the integrity of the drape so that a wound chambertherebelow can be evacuated to apply negative pressure at the woundsite. It is to be noted that the drawings are not shown to scale butrather are included for the purposes of illustration only. In this sensethe wound site may be considerably larger than the size of the body. Adrape will extend a distance x well beyond the extremities of the body.The body may be located centrally or off centre with respect to thedrape.

A suction tube 16 having a connector 17 on an end thereof is connectedto a negative pressure source such as a vacuum pump. A user locates theconnector 17 above the orifice 24 which is aptly visible or semi-visiblethrough the drape covering grips the indents of the body and the drapeand then in a single motion pushes the connector 17 towards the drapeand body so that the piercing rim 48 and snap fit connector of theconnector are thrust through the drape into the orifice. The piercingrim 48 pierces the drape and simultaneously completes a fluidcommunication path with the conduit 16 and the side suction port 28 andbottom suction port 29. It is to be noted that as the piercing rim ofthe connector is urged into the body, drape material which is punchedthrough tends to accumulate between the outer surface of the connectorand the body 18. This, together with the inner dimensions of the chamber25 and outer dimensions of the connector 17, produces a fluid-tightseal. It will be appreciated that the resilient body 18 can bemanufactured with an undersized opening 24 and chamber 25 to enhance thesealing effect.

Once the connector 17 is connected to the body a negative pressure canbe applied to the wound site as will be appreciated by those skilled inthe art. Fluid, including possibly wound exudate, is drawn through thelower surface suction port from the wound site and wound packer into theconduit 16 and to the remote pump.

The connector 17 can, to a certain extent, swivel in the chamber 25 inthe body 18. This provides the advantage that when a patient moves theconduit and connector can move accordingly to a certain extent toprevent disconnection and to improve comfort to the patient. Asillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 6 the extent of swivelling which can takeplace about an axis centred through the chamber 25 is limited by thecurved surface of the body 18 and an outer surface 19 which ridesproximate to the drape. This riding surface 19 eventually abuts thelinear side surface of the drape and body effectively providing 180° ofswivel. It will be appreciated that if the body were formed in acircular shape then the connector could swivel through 360°. Swivellingcan be wholly prevented or an allowable angle controlled by providing amore rigid housing in the body with one or more abutment facescontacting corresponding abutment faces on the piercing stem of theconnector.

It will be appreciated that whilst the above-mentioned embodiment isdescribed as having a piercing rim on the connector, certain otherembodiments of the present invention could utilise a piercing rim orother shaped member in the recessed body with the connector being usedto urge the drape into a recess where the piercing member is located.

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present invention.In contrast to the embodiment illustrated with respect to FIGS. 1 to 6,the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 to 10 illustrate how a connector 77 canbe connected sideways into a side wall of a body 78. This embodimentdoes not enable the connector to swivel with respect to the body asdescribed in the previous embodiment.

A drape 11 is located over a wound site 12. The drape covers the woundsite 12 and is secured to sound tissue 13 to create a sealed cavity orvoid over the wound. This sealed cavity or void is referred tohereinafter as a wound chamber 14.

Wound packer material 15 may be used in the cavity between a wound bedand the drape to help enable an even vacuum distribution to be achievedover the area of the wound.

A drain 79 is illustrated secured to a side suction port of the body 78.The wound drain 79 is an elongate flexible tube which can be located ina target wound site. The wound drain can be of any type known in theart, such as a channel wound drain or flat wound drain. It will beappreciated that the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 is utilised with thebody 78 resting on sound skin 13 close to a wound site. The drain 79 islocated under the drape. It will be appreciated that a drain may aptlybe used with the other embodiments described hereinbefore andhereinafter.

FIGS. 8a and 8b illustrate the body 78 shown in FIG. 7 in more detail.The body 78 is used as a drape support component and has a lowersubstantially planar surface 80 upon which the body 78 rests in use. Thelower surface can include adhesive regions or can wholly be covered byan adhesive to aid fixing the body at a desired location with respect toa wound site. An upper surface of the body 78 is provided by an upwardlyand inwardly extending side wall 81. It is to be noted that in thisembodiment no lip is shown although the body 78 could, of course, bemodified to include a lip as described hereinabove with respect to theprevious embodiment. The body 78 has a substantially straight crest 83.

FIG. 8a in particular illustrates how a pinch seal 86 can be provided inthe passageway extending from the opening 88. This is achieved either byproviding a closing of the internal diameter of the bore (such anarrowing pinches on the outer surface of the drain) or by providing arecessed ring in which an “o” ring seal can be located. In this way asillustrated in FIG. 8b when a drain 79 is urged through the opening 88against a drain seat 87 the pinch seal 86 seals against an outerdiameter of the drain. The end of the drain which is urged against thedrain seat 87 is sealed in this way so that fluid communication onlyoccurs through the chamber 85 into the inner diameter bore of the drain79. This drain seal 87 and the pinch seal 86 effectively close off theorifice 89 on the lower surface 80 of the body.

FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of the body 78 shown in FIGS. 8a and 8b .As illustrated in FIG. 9 looked at from above the body 78 has agenerally rectangular shape having a substantially straight edge 90 anda spaced apart straight edge 91 separated by linear sides 92. The bodyis integrally formed from a resilient material having a type A Shorehardness of greater than around 10 and a type A Shore hardness of lessthan around 70. It will be appreciated that according to certain otherembodiments of the present invention the body may be formed from amaterial or a combination of materials having different hardnesses.Likewise certain embodiments of the present invention may utilise a bodywhich is not integrally formed. Indents 93 on the two sides 92 increasethe ease by which the body may be picked up and located by a user. Bypinching the indents the resilience of the material is such that thebody is effectively squeezed by finger and thumb of a user and can thenbe duly located at a desired location with respect to a wound site. Alsothe indents allow the drape and body to be held up away from a patient'sbody whilst a drape is punctured by connecting the connector through thedrape to the body. This helps reduce patient discomfort.

As illustrated in FIGS. 8a and 8b an orifice 84 is formed in an endsurface 94 extending upwardly from an edge 91 of the body 78. Theorifice 84 presents an open mouth on an upper surface of the body whichin use will receive the connector 77. A chamber 85 extends into the bodyfrom the open mouth and a master passageway extends horizontally fromthe chamber 85 to a region of an end wall 95 extending upwards from anedge 90 of the body. An opening 88 in the side wall forms a firstsuction port. A further suction port 89 is formed in the lower surface80. The side suction port and lower surface suction port are in fluidcommunication with the mouth 84 on the side of the body via the chamber85 and connecting passageways.

It will be understood that according to certain embodiments of thepresent invention the body may be provided with only the bottom surfacesuction port or only the side wall suction port 88 or both a lowersurface suction port and side suction port or more than one side suctionport and/or more than one lower surface suction port.

FIG. 10 illustrates how a suction tube 16 has an end terminated in theconnector 77. The connector 77 is an elongate integrally formed piece ofsemi-rigid material having a type A Shore hardness of greater thanaround 90. It will be appreciated that according to certain embodimentsof the present invention a rigid material, such as metal or the like,could be used. Also the connector could be formed in more than one pieceand be fitted together. An external surface of the connector 77 has sixcircumferentially extending ribs 1000 which enable a user to morereadily grasp the connector. A passageway in the connector 77 is influid communication with an internal bore 43 of the suction tube 16. Anend of the connector distal to the suction tube 16 provides a mouthregion 1007 in line with the longitudinal axis of the connector. Apiercing tip 1008 is formed as a rim extending around the mouth 1007 ofthe connector. The body of the connector extends backwards from thecutting edge rim extends outwardly in a flared snap fit configuration.

FIG. 10 also helps illustrate how a fluid connection path can beprovided between a wound site through a drape to a negative pressuresource. During use the body 78 is located close to a wound site 12. Thisis achieved by a user pinching the body between thumb and forefinger andduly locating the body so that a lower surface 80 of the body rests onsound tissue. A drain which may include perforations 1009 at a distalend thereof is located in the wound site and a drape is located over thebody and drain and wound site. As noted above a lower adhesive surfaceof the drape may be revealed by being uncovered prior to such location.The upper surface of the body 78 formed by the upwardly facing endwalls, side wall and crest thus support the dressing in a smooth way sothat no tearing or cutting occurs to the drape. This retains theintegrity of the drape so that a wound chamber defined under the drapecan be evacuated to apply negative pressure at the wound site.

A suction tube 16 having a connector 77 on an end thereof is connectedto a negative pressure source such as a vacuum pump. A user locates theconnector 77 close to the orifice 84 which is aptly visible orsemi-visible through the drape covering, grips the indents of the bodyand thus the drape and then in a single motion pushes the connector 77towards the drape and body so that the piercing rim 1008 and snap fitconnector end of the connector 77 are thrust through the drape into theorifice. The piercing rim 1008 pierces the drape and simultaneouslycompletes a fluid communication path with the suction tube 16 and theside suction port 88. It is to be noted that as the piercing rim of theconnector is urged into the body, drape material which is punchedthrough tends to accumulate between an outer surface of the connectorand the body 78. This, together with the inner dimensions of the chamber85 and outer dimensions of the connector 1007, produces a fluid-tightseal. It will be appreciated that the resilient body 78 can bemanufactured with an undersized opening 84 and chamber 85 to enhance thesealing effect.

It is to be noted that as an end of the drain is located in the sidesuction port of the body 78 the drain can be driven into the body untilan end of the drain abuts with a drain seat region. This indicates to auser that the drain is fully in place. The internal diameters of thelower suction port 89 are such that when a drain is so located an outersurface of the drain tube seals the lower suction port 89 closed. Assuch a fluid communication path passes substantially horizontally asshown in FIG. 7.

An advantage of providing a body 78 having at least one side suctionport and at least one lower surface suction port is that a single bodycan be utilised for a variety of purposes, for example with the draintube shown in respect of FIGS. 7 to 9 or for use over a target woundsite as described with respect to FIGS. 1 to 6. This reduces inventoryat the premises of a user since specialised bodies do not need to bestored for separate purposes.

Once the connector 77 is connected to the body a negative pressure canbe applied to the wound site as will be appreciated by those skilled inthe art. Fluid, including possibly wound exudate, is drawn through theend of the drain and/or perforations 1009 in the drain into thepassageway extending through the body and into the internal bore of theconnector and suction tube 16.

FIG. 11 illustrates how a dual lumen 1101, 1102 suction tube isterminated in a single connector 1177. Dual lumens are useable for awide variety of uses, for example for the introduction of irrigationfluid or agents to a wound site and/or for the application of negativepressure and/or for the measuring of negative pressure provided at awound site. The connector 1177 is an elongate integrally formed piece ofsemi-rigid material having a type A Shore hardness of greater thanaround 90. It will be appreciated that according to certain embodimentsof the present invention a rigid material, such as metal or the likecould be used. Also the connector can be formed in one or more piecefitted together. The connector is illustrated connected through anopening into a body 1178. FIG. 12 illustrates in use how a drape 11 maybe placed over the body 1178 and then the connector 1177 pushed throughthe drape through an opening in the body 1178.

FIG. 13 illustrates how the body of the connector 1177 has a centrallongitudinally extending dividing wall 1301. The dividing wall 1301extends along the whole length of the connector 1177. A first passageway1302 is defined on one side of the dividing wall 1301 and a first lumencan be duly located in an open mouth thereof. The lumen is in fluidcommunication with the passageway 1302. A further passageway 1303 isdefined between the dividing wall and the remaining portion of the body1177. A further lumen can be terminated in this passageway and is influid communication with the end of the connector.

It will be appreciated that fluid communication along the twopassageways can be simultaneous or occur in a non-coincidental manner.For example irrigation or some other target agent can be introduced atone moment in time whilst venting and negative pressure is discontinued.The agent and/or irrigation are then stopped and negative pressureapplied or reapplied.

In the case of pressure sensing this may continue continually whilst anegative pressure is applied via a separate lumen.

It will be appreciated that if irrigation fluid or a further agent areto be introduced whilst negative pressure is applied this can beachieved by having separate passageways in the body 1178 into which themulti passageway connector 1177 is introduced. For example onepassageway may lead into one corner of the body 1178 whilst a furtherpassageway is configured into an opposite corner. This will prevent thenegative pressure source from sucking the introduced agent or irrigationfluid away from the wound immediately. As an alternative or in additionto having the separate passageways corresponding to the passageways inthe dual lumen connector it is possible for the passageways exitorifices to be angled away from one another.

It will be appreciated that a multi passageway connector of the typeillustrated in FIGS. 11 to 14 may have two, three or more passageways,each of which may connect with a respective inlet lumen arranged toperform a particular function. One, two or more passageways in the body1178 can be provided to provide fluid communication between each inletlumen and the target wound site.

It will be appreciated that embodiments like those illustrated withrespect to FIGS. 11 to 14 may be utilised with the swivel type connectorpreviously described. In such a case the body underlying a drape willinclude only one passageway or some marking or physical stop must bemade on the swivel connector so that a central wall is selectivelyorientated at a predetermined location with respect to the body in use.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words“comprise” and “contain” and variations of the words, for example“comprising” and “comprises”, means “including but not limited to”, andis not intended to (and does not) exclude other moieties, additives,components, integers or steps.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, thesingular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires.In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specificationis to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity,unless the context requires otherwise.

Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties orgroups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment orexample of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to anyother aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatibletherewith.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for providing fluid communication toa wound site through a drape, comprising: a drape having a loweradhesive surface configured to be located over the wound site; a drapesupport component located under the drape comprising: a lower surfaceconfigured to face the wound site; a top surface configured to supportthe drape; a suction port comprising an orifice in the lower surface ora side surface of the drape support component, wherein the suction portis configured to be in fluid communication with the wound site; a draincomprising perforations, wherein the drain is in fluid communicationwith the suction port; and a fluid passageway extending at leasthorizontally through the drape support component and in fluidcommunication with the suction port; a connector portion passing throughthe drape and having an inner lumen in fluid communication with thesuction port via the fluid passageway, the connector portion extendinghorizontally relative to an upper surface of the drape and comprising anopening configured to receive an end of a conduit; and a conduitconnected to the opening of the connector portion to thereby provide afluid communication path through the drape between said conduit and thewound site.
 2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lowersurface of the drape support component is substantially planar.
 3. Theapparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top surface of the drapesupport component is substantially planar.
 4. The apparatus as claimedin claim 1, wherein the drape support component comprises a peripherallip, and wherein an outer periphery of the drape extends beyond theperipheral lip.
 5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein theperipheral lip extending circumferentially around a central raisedregion of the drape support component.
 6. The apparatus as claimed inclaim 4, wherein a shape of the peripheral lip corresponds to a shape ofthe drape.
 7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drapesupport component is centrally located with respect to the drape.
 8. Theapparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drape support component hasa circular shape.
 9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein theconnector portion extends through an opening in the drape.
 10. Theapparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein an outer diameter of theconduit corresponds to an inner diameter of the opening of the connectorportion.
 11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the suctionport is a side suction port.
 12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1,further comprising gauze located under the drape and under the drapesupport component.